AudioFu

Best 4-String P-Basses Under $2,000 2026

Affordable 4-string p-basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Pop For Country For Blues For Classic Rock For Alternative
BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Sandberg Sadowsky Marcus Miller Squier Lakland Yamaha
Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BK

by Sandberg
Rock Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BKElectric BassBody: AshNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: RosewoodFingerboard radius:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583453
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CHM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CHM

by Sadowsky
Country Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado WHMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596255
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 50s P-Bass DSD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender Vintera II 50s P-Bass DSD

by Fender
Rock Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Fender Vintera II 50s P-Bass DSDElectric BassVintera II SeriesBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck profile: Late 50s...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571472
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado OBM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado OBM

by Sadowsky
Classic Rock Pop Country
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado OBMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado (pau...

⭐ 4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596233
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom 4 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom 4 BK

by Lakland
Pop Alternative Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less modern features

Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom 4 BKElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodPearl block fingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 574410
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSM

by Sadowsky
Country Classic Rock Alternative
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado (pau...

⭐ 4.9/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596260
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin Black

by Charvel
Alternative Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin BlackElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: caramelised mapleFingerboard: caramelised...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583623
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 MO WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 MO WH

by Sadowsky
Alternative Pop Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 MO WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595895
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VS 4 MN RB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sandberg California II VS 4 MN RB

by Sandberg
Blues Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VS 4 MN RBElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: MapleBlack dot fretboard inlaysNut...

⭐ 4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 439930
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha BB734 A DCSG RW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha BB734 A DCSG RW

by Yamaha
Pop Country Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Yamaha BB734 A DCSG RW4-String Electric BassBody: AldermaplealderNeck: 5-Ply maple/mahoganyFretboard: Rosewood...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 464691
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW OLP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW OLP

by Fender
Rock Country Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW OLPElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Modern...

⭐ 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609106
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM OBM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM OBM

by Sadowsky
Rock Alternative Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM OBMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 596228
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Steve Harris P-Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender Steve Harris P-Bass

by Fender
Country Classic Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Steve Harris P-BassBass GuitarSteve Harris (Iron Maiden) signature modelTwo-piece maple bodyMaple neckU neck...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 355172
$1,703
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANS

by Schecter
Blues Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANSElectric BassSwamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckFingerboard: MapleEbony side block...

⭐ 4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 543303
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AM Perf P-Bass MN LPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender AM Perf P-Bass MN LPB

by Fender
Blues Country Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less modern features

Fender AM Perf P-Bass MN LPBElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays: black dotNeck...

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 452940
$1,737
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String P-Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 4-string p-basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more